Song Lam Nghe An's defense is losing its former identity.
In the past, Song Lam Nghe An was known for its strong and solid defense, making many opponents wary. However, at this time, the team based in Vinh is gradually losing that identity.
The defense that once struck fear into people's hearts.
Since the official establishment of the Vietnamese professional football league, Song Lam Nghe An has experienced ups and downs, even crises, but has always maintained its unique identity. Among its strengths, formidable opponents in the V-League have always held the Nghe An team's defense in high regard.
Looking back to the 2000s, center-backs like Huu Thang and Van Luu always stepped onto the field with bravery, determination, and composure, striking fear into many famous strikers of the time. Because of this commanding presence, Song Lam Nghe An never hesitated to face strong opponents. This also formed the foundation for the team's success during that period.
After the golden era of Huu Thang and Van Luu ended, Song Lam Nghe An continued to produce another leader in the defense: Huy Hoang. He is considered the successor to Huu Thang. The center-back, born in 1981, has a fiery playing style, with his signature tackles, which have helped Song Lam Nghe An's defense always stand firm against strong opponents in the V-League.
In recent years, fans have once again witnessed the emergence of another central defender, Que Ngoc Hai. The player, born in 1993, inherited the spirit of Song Lam Nghe An, always displaying fierce determination and passion in every match.
It's clear that, in every era, Song Lam Nghe An has always built a solid, steely defense that provides a strong foundation for their attacking line.
Losing identity
However, looking at this season, the weakness and fragility of Song Lam Nghe An's defense are clearly visible. The team from Nghe An, with its strategy of rejuvenating the squad, has forced young central defenders to wear a shirt that is too big for their abilities and experience.
A closer look at Song Lam Nghe An's defense reveals no player with the qualities to be a leader in the back line. Young center-backs like Tran Nam Hai, Le Van Thanh, Phan Van Thanh... although always showing determination on the field, still lack the bravery and tenacity of their predecessors. They haven't yet acquired the hallmark of a center-back from Nghe An.
Looking at the match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Song Lam Nghe An's defenders revealed many weaknesses in their tackling and man-marking abilities. This allowed the opponent to easily control the ball and develop their game. A series of coordinated attacks in the midfield, followed by through balls to the flanks, were executed quite easily by Hoang Anh Gia Lai, without any strong enough intervention to deter the opponent.
Even in the match against Nam Dinh, the weakness and looseness of Song Lam Nghe An's defense were even more evident. While it's true that the reigning champions possess a very strong attack, if the players from Nghe An had played more aggressively and pressed their opponents more fiercely, they wouldn't have conceded so many goals so easily.
It must be said that, at this moment, Song Lam Nghe An's defense is losing the identity it once had in the past. It will be very difficult for the team from Vinh to regain this in the near future. And perhaps, to overcome the current difficulties, Song Lam Nghe An can only rely on the resourcefulness of coach Pham Anh Tuan and his colleagues.
Hopefully, in the next match, the Song Lam Nghe An coaching staff will find a solution to the personnel problem in the defense line, thereby helping the team achieve a positive result.
